Rural New England: Architecture in the Round

Unique New England structures include Massachusetts' round stone barn, and Vermont's one-room schoolhouse and non-denominational church

This barn is noted as being the first large round stone barn built in this country. It's a Shaker round stone barn that is now part of the Hancock Shaker Village Museum (actually in Hancock, Mass, but served by Pittsfield, Mass.). It was used as a prototype by other farmers and promoted by several agricultural colleges, resulting in construction of round barns in most of the states and in Canada.

The Shaker barn has three entrances – one at grade level for cattle, one ramping up from grade to a second floor, and one descending from grade so that a team of horses and wagon can drive completely around the building and exit at the point of entry, That is, one drive-way is above the cattle floor and one drive-way is below the cattle floor.

The one-room schoolhouse in Brookline, Vermont. It has an ample combination woodshed, horse shed (as many students rode to school), and a boys’ and girls’ room. The interior is in very good condition, well heated by a wood stove. The exterior brick is in good condition, and one could say the building is good for may years to come.